Water Service Operator I

Be a part of a dynamic team whose common goal is to make a difference in our community.

It is amazing to know that by being a part of the City of Idaho Falls team, you would be doing important work for our community that affects people’s lives. Every day brings new challenges and rewards!

Job Description:

The City of Idaho Falls Public Works Department is accepting applications for a Water Service Operator.  This position performs working level Water Distribution duties with moderate supervision primarily related to field locating City of Idaho Falls’ underground utility infrastructure, including electric, broadband, culinary water, wastewater, storm sewer, and pressurized irrigation, to prevent damage, ensure public safety, and ensure compliance with Idaho excavation laws. The position also assists with accurate and efficient troubleshooting of issues and completion of customer service calls regarding the supply of quality drinking water and pressurized surface water to customers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Water Service Lead Operator. Wors under moderate field supervision of senior Water Service Operators.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides close field supervision to Water Operators-in-Training and Water Laborers assigned to Water Service operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Generally works alone but may also work in tandem with other Water Service Operators to complete job functions related to field locating of existing City utility infrastructure, completion of customer service calls, and troubleshooting drinking water and pressurized surface water system issues as described below:

Field Locating City Utilities

Responds promptly to 811 excavation locate tickets and customer locating requests. Protects the integrity of City utilities including electric, broadband, culinary water, wastewater, storm sewer, and pressurized irrigation systems by accurately field locating utility infrastructure.

Reads and interprets GIS mapping systems, utility maps, blueprints, and as-built drawings to identify exact locations of underground water lines, electrical conduits, fiber optic networks, and sewer mains or service connections. Identifies discrepancies between GIS mapped and existing field locations and data for utility assets. Correctly edits component locations and data in GIS field maps to accurately reflect existing field locations and data.

Operates electromagnetic locating equipment, ground-penetrating radar, sonic pipe tools, and other technical devices to accurately trace underground utilities. Marks utility locations accurately using industry-standard APWA color codes (paint, flags, or stakes).

Inputs accurate field data, notes, and digital photographs into the City’s locate management software to verify work completion. Ensures absolute compliance with Idaho State Code Title 55, Chapter 22 (Underground Facilities Damage Prevention).

Serves as a liaison between Idaho Falls Power, Idaho Falls Fiber, Idaho Falls Water, and Idaho Falls Wastewater regarding infrastructure preservation. Coordinates with construction contractors, excavators, property owners, and city engineering crews to clarify utility locations and resolve field conflicts.

Investigates and documents instances where underground City utilities are struck or damaged. Collects evidence, measures clearances, drafts incident reports, and provides technical input to determine liability or necessary repairs.

Customer Service Calls:

Quickly and efficiently responds to emergency customer service calls regarding broken or leaking water and pressurized irrigation lines, valves, and other components; flooding of property; and frozen water services.

Disconnects drinking water or pressurized irrigation service as necessary to prevent property damage and hazards to the general public. Determines whether City or property owner responsibility for required repairs to faulty drinking water or pressurized irrigation facilities.

Effectively communicates any required repairs to the property owner or to supervisor as conditions require.

Responds to customer, contractor, or City service requests to connect or disconnect water service for repairs, vacancies, transfers of occupancy, non-payment status, waste, or backflow violations.  Flushes hydrants as necessary for water quality control resulting from water quality complaints. Consults Water Supply personnel regarding any potential backflow violations resulting from water quality complaints.

Accurately employs a variety of troubleshooting methods while investigating service complaints in drinking water and pressurized irrigation distribution systems. Operates valves, curb stops, and meter boxes as necessary for investigation. Notes any irregularities discovered during investigation and discusses findings with supervisor.

Consults with property owners and/or customers regarding possible resolutions to pressure issues. Consults with Water Operations Specialists or Water Supply personnel as necessary to investigate potentially larger issues related to system pressure complaints.

Inspects drinking water and pressurized irrigation system installations in public rights-of-way or utility easements to verify compliance with City standards and construction requirements.

Flushes hydrants as necessary to restore water quality resulting from water quality complaints.

Reads water meters when required and recommends repairs or replacements.

Completes service and work orders for all customer service requests and maintenance, recording all tasks performed and listing all materials, equipment and time involved in completing the work. 

May also work as a crew member with Water Heavy Equipment Operators, Water Distribution Operators, Water Operators-in-Training, and Water Laborers, in operating all equipment and performing all distribution job duties as assigned.

Responds to after-hour emergency and customer service calls while serving on 24-hour standby shift on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.         Education and Experience:

A.         High school diploma or GED;

AND

B.         One (1) year of on-site work experience in the operation and maintenance of a Class I or higher public water system;

OR

C.         Successful completion of an Idaho Department of Professional Licensing (IDOPL) approved apprenticeship program;

OR

D.         Equivalent experience as determined by Idaho Department of Professional Licensing;

OR

E.         One (1) year of professional experience in field location of existing utilities.

2.         Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working level knowledge of methods and requirements for locating existing utility infrastructure; safely working within public rights-of-way; city water system networks, lines, valves, and hydrant locations; hazards and safety procedures associated with trench work and water line construction; tools and equipment to locate existing utilities; typical system issues causing water pressure and quality complaints along with methods for troubleshooting and rectifying those issues; plumbing or pipe fitting methods and procedures typical to water distribution systems; tools and equipment required to lay and repair water mains and service lines; use and care of required tools and equipment to perform essential job functions; city policies and procedures; laws, ordinances, and regulations governing drinking water systems.

Skill in the use and maintenance of utility locating equipment and small power equipment; accurately diagnosing causes of water pressure and quality issues; proper interpretation of construction and improvement drawings; identification of maintenance responsibility for water and pressurized irrigation system leaks; use of GPS locating equipment; use of service order, work order, and GIS mapping software.

Ability to adapt to emergency or unusual situations; perform manual tasks for a sustained period of time; tolerate weather extremes in the work environment; perform strenuous manual labor; operate tools typical to plumbing and pipe fitting; proficiently carry out work assignments with minimal instructions; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing to supervisors, co-workers and the public; work effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and the public; interpret maps and construction drawings.

 

3.         Special Qualifications:

Must possess a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License.

Must upgrade current Commercial Driver’s License to Idaho Class A with tanker endorsement within six (6) months of employment.

Must possess a State of Idaho Water Operator-In-Training license or equivalent from another state (possession of a Class I Idaho Water Distribution Operator License preferable).

Must obtain a State of Idaho Class I Water Distribution Operator License within twelve (12) months of employment.

Must work a rotating, weeklong twenty-four (24) hour stand-by shift for on-call coverage of the water and pressurized irrigation systems.

Residency Requirement:  Shall be expected, within six (6) months of employment, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Water Division Administration Building.

Must complete 0.6 Continuing Education Units in Drinking Water annually.

4.         Work Environment:

Tasks require variety of physical activities, generally involving muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting (moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally moving up to 80 pounds).  Talking, hearing and seeing are essential to performing required job functions.  Frequent exposure to changing weather conditions.  Employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to vibration.  The employee frequently works in open trenches and other precarious places and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk from moving traffic.  Common eye, hand, finger dexterity are required.  Work requires memory for details and verbal instructions, emotional stability and discriminating thinking.  Daily local travel required in normal course of job performance.

 

Disclaimer:  The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons.  Management reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed with or without notice.  This job description supersedes earlier versions.

Pay Range:

$24.17 -$26.27

Benefits:
Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, vision and life coverage. You will also be eligible for retirement benefits through PERSI.  PERSI is a defined benefit plan that offers guaranteed retirement benefits for full-time employees.